Reds should raid La Liga again, says Barnes

Liverpool legend John Barnes has welcomed the imminent return to action of Steven Gerrard this weekend – but feels another raid on La Liga for Fernando Morientes and Pablo Aimar could solve the club’s current striking crisis.

With Djibril Cisse already out for the season and Milan Baros now sidelined after aggravating an existing problem during the Czech Republic’s World Cup qualifier in Macedonia, Reds manager Rafael Benitez has been left desperately short of striking options ahead of Saturday’s trip to Middlesbrough.

Baros’ injury has left Neil Mellor and Florent Sinama-Pongolle as the club’s only two recognised available strikers.

Former Anfield favourite Barnes is aware that such a dearth of firepower could seriously hamper Liverpool’s ambitions to progress on four fronts in the coming weeks, with a gruelling schedule of 14 games in the next seven weeks.

But he sees Real Madrid striker Morientes and Valencia playmaker Aimar as the perfect solution when the transfer window opens in January.

“Liverpool definitely need another striker now and Morientes is currently the best option available to them,” said Barnes, echoing sentiments expressed by Liverpool winger Luis Garcia last week.

“He’s not getting regular football at the Bernabeu with Michael Owen, Raul and Ronaldo all now ahead of him – and if Liverpool come in for you as a player, you don’t turn them down.

“Baros and Cisse, although now injured, both like the ball behind them but Morientes could provide the focal point for the attack, holding the ball up while the second striker looks to make the run behind.

“I was extremely impressed with the way Morientes played for Monaco against Chelsea during last season’s two Champions League semi-final legs and I’m sure he would be a success at Liverpool.”

Aimar, meanwhile, is a player already hugely familiar to Benitez and formed the creative backbone of the Valencia side which the Reds boss inspired to two La Liga titles in three years.

“Aimar is a player that I have thought Liverpool should buy for some time now,” said Barnes of the 25-year old Argentine.

“He’s got great pace and is very intuitive, adventurous and unpredictable, although whether Valencia would want to do business with Benitez is another matter. Luis Garcia and Harry Kewell are similar to Aimar, but strength in depth is what wins you titles.”

Barnes believes that Benitez is presiding over a genuine renaissance at Anfield, and feels that next season could see Liverpool launch a serious bid for an elusive first Premiership title.

“While I don’t think Liverpool can win the Premiership this season, they should improve on last season’s point tally and finishing third ahead of Manchester United is a realistic possibility and would signal solid progress,” said the former England winger, who won two Championship medals during his time at Anfield.

“The squad is shaping up very well and with the addition of Morientes and Aimar, Liverpool could be right up there challenging next year. I’ve spoken to Didi Hamann and a few of the other lads about Benitez and they speak very highly of him.”

Ahead of Saturday’s clash against Middlesbrough at the Riverside, Barnes believes the return of ‘talismanic’ captain Gerrard will hand Liverpool a timely boost and predicted that the versatility of the Reds captain may prove vital in the absence of their two recognised strikers.

“Gerrard has a talismanic influence on the Liverpool team and in my opinion, is the best midfielder in the world at the moment,” enthused Barnes.

“The fantastic thing for Benitez is that Gerrard is so versatile that he can play anywhere across the midfield. And with the injuries up front, he could even keep Xabi Alonso and Didi Hamann as the central midfield axis and push Gerrard on just behind the main striker.

“That would give Steven a licence to get forward and support the attack as he likes to do anyway, but with the added security of Hamann and Alonso holding.”